Karen Weller has spent much of her life caring for others. As a retired oncology nurse, she’s seen firsthand how health challenges affect patients and the people who love them. Outside of nursing, Karen enjoys walking, reading and needlework — everyday activities that bring her relaxation and joy.
Over time, arthritis in her knee started getting in the way of those routines. What began as occasional discomfort slowly turned into instability. “My knee was unstable and would give out without warning,” Karen shared, making her regular walks feel uncertain. During one walk, her knee gave out completely, causing her to fall — a moment that made it clear it was time to seek expert care and look at her options.
Karen was already familiar with Central Indiana Orthopedics. She had received care at CIO in the past and had always had positive experiences. So, when she was referred to Dr. Ryan Jaggers, CIO’s hip and knee replacement surgeon, she felt confident she was in the right place.
That confidence only grew after her first visit. “Dr. Jaggers was calm, friendly and professional,” Karen said. “He put me at ease right away.” He took the time to answer her questions and walk her through every aspect of knee replacement — from the surgery itself to recovery and rehabilitation — so she knew exactly what to expect.
That clarity made all the difference. “With all of my questions and concerns addressed through the excellent patient education, I felt confident moving forward,” Karen shared. With a clear picture of what the process would look like, she decided to proceed with total knee replacement and began the pre-operative process.
As a nurse, Karen knows how important education is, and she immediately noticed the effort Central Indiana Orthopedics puts into preparing patients. From pre-surgical testing to detailed education sessions, everything was explained in a way that was easy to understand and reassuring. “By the time surgery day arrived, I felt completely prepared,” she said.
“The day of surgery was very smooth,” Karen recalled. “I felt prepared for everything, and the pre-op staff did a great job explaining what they were doing. Everyone was very friendly and helpful.”
After surgery, Karen went home with clear post-operative instructions and education materials, which she referenced often as she recovered. She also credits the Physical Therapy team at Central Indiana Orthopedics with helping her regain strength, mobility and confidence. The therapists were supportive and encouraging, helping her recognize progress even when it felt slow. “Physical therapy helped me see that I was making progress at every session,” she said.
Today, just over two months after surgery, Karen is walking nearly three miles at a time — something that once felt out of reach. One milestone stands out in particular: “I knew I was making real progress when I could walk two miles,” she said. Her knee now feels strong, stable and dependable, allowing her to enjoy the activities she loves without hesitation.
Looking back, Karen is grateful she made the decision to move forward with knee replacement and thankful for the care she received along the way. “I’m so glad I had my knee replaced,” she shared. “And most of all, I’m so thankful that Dr. Jaggers was my surgeon.”
For anyone who feels nervous about knee replacement surgery, Karen offers reassuring advice: Ask questions. Listen to your physical therapists. Put in the work. And most importantly, she says, “Give yourself grace as you work through everything — you can do this.”
Karen’s story is a reminder of what’s possible with the right care, preparation and a team you trust. At Central Indiana Orthopedics, we’re proud to support patients like Karen as they return to the activities they love and move forward with confidence. To learn more or schedule an appointment, call 800-622-6575 or explore our services at ciocenter.com/services/.